The rules for this record are simple - the entire attempt must be video recorded and witnesses must be present. Every hour, the player is allowed a five-minute break, and any unused break is transferable to a later time, allowing the player to combine multiple breaks and take a short rest. And for the record to be recognised, every four hours a he has to face new players. Although the rules are simple, it is not easy to translate them into reality. But Phil Laak has been preparing for this moment practically all his life.
Since he was a child, he has dreamed of breaking the record
As a child, Laak was fascinated by the Guinness Book of World Records and dreamed that one day his name would be listed among the record holders. His first attempt was in the Pogo pole vault, but after ten minutes he was completely exhausted and gave up. Later he tried to memorize as many decimal places of Pi (π) as he could, but this time it was not his body that betrayed him, but his memory. He postponed his attempts to set the record for many years. He became a professional poker player, and eventually poker opened the door for him to fulfill his long-held dream.
Laak got the idea for the poker endurance record while playing with Paul Zimbler, who was the record holder at the time. That's when it occurred to him that the poker endurance record might be the one for him. His goal of 80 hours seemed attainable, and even if someone broke it later, at least he would have achieved his dream. Phil Laak eventually surpassed even his own expectations and pushed the limits of human endurance.
Not just playing for the record, but for a good cause
During this record-breaking marathon, Laak played in support of Camp Sunshine, a charity that helps children with serious illnesses experience a summer camp with round-the-clock medical care. After 115 hours of play, he won $6,766, which he donated to this very organization.
Phil Laak is also well-known and popular because of his character - he communicates a lot at the table, recounting experiences and entertaining his opponents. He is known for the various challenges and bets he completes during the game. Even when setting a record, he didn't back down from his habits and accepted various challenges that allowed him to raise extra money for charity.
The course of the record game
In his chase for the record, Laak chose to play the $10/$20 NLH game and ironically, he did not play his best in the beginning when he still had plenty of strength. Laak busted twice and later at one point had only $800 after another call. Halfway through the marathon, he bought in a stack of $100,000, which he played the rest of the game with. Despite the initial losses, he eventually took home a win of $6,766.
That Laak finished in positive numbers is all the more admirable given that he had to contend with a huge lack of sleep. In addition, he did not take caffeine or other stimulants during the entire challenge. "The trick to staying awake is to be active with your mind," Phil said. But throughout the game, the lack of sleep did show. Laak confirmed after the record-breaking game that he also experienced hallucinations. "It happened in the 92nd hour. I knew I was in the casino, but I thought maybe I was somewhere in France, I didn't know."
Friends at the table
Laak was supported in his quest by many friends and humble professionals. There was his partner, actress and poker player Jennifer Tilly, who encouraged him day after day. By his side was his good friend Antonio Esfandiari, who was even at the table when the record got broken. WSOP champion Scotty Nguyen, among others, came to cheer him on.
When Laak reached 100 hours, he wrote on his blog, "Whatever happens - no repeats!" It seems that this record will be his first and last attempt at poker endurance. After six months of hard training and a grueling 115 hours at the table, it's no wonder. Phil Laak has fulfilled a childhood dream, set an iconic record and his name is still in the Guinness Book of World Records today.
Has the record been broken?
While 115 hours of continuous play is an incredible number, there are at least two instances where players have reportedly broken that figure. In 2012, former soldier Barry Denson reached the mark of 120 hours and 20 minutes of continuous play at Manchester's G Casino. In 2021, Zach Gensler went even higher when he reached 124 hours of continuous play at Resort World in Las Vegas.
Both players claimed to have met all the requirements for the record to be entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. Approval and verification usually takes a couple of months, but to this day Phil Laak remains the official record holder. And so far, it doesn't look like there will be any change anytime soon. If you happen to be thinking about it, be warned, it's extremely unhealthy!
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